From Panama to Tel Aviv and back

For Raziel Hernandez Batista, the journey to studying environmental science at Tel Aviv University (TAU) has been anything but conventional. Originally from Panama, Hernandez Batista began her academic path as a chemical engineer and found her passion for sustainability through professional experiences that revealed the scale of global waste. “I started taking sustainability courses in my senior year of undergrad,” she explains. These courses ignited her interest in bridging technical expertise with actionable solutions to environmental challenges.

Her wake-up call came while working in the food industry. “I worked in quality assurance, and every day, I was struck by the sheer waste generated—even in a small plant. It was eye-opening,” Hernandez Batista recalls. Determined to pursue a career that addressed these issues, she transitioned her focus from food sustainability to the broader nexus of water, energy, and food systems. 

This search for the right graduate program led her to TAU, and specifically the international MA in Environmental Studies offered through The Lowy International School.

“I found a program that was everything I was looking for— it had the social components, the science components and the human components … it had everything in environmental studies that I wanted to focus on.”

Hernandez Batista participates in a policy development simulation in her Environmental Policy and Sustainable Development class.

The decision was solidified by a scholarship for Panamanian students, which included housing and tuition, allowing her to focus fully on her studies and particularly her interests in food, energy and water. “What better country to learn about water than Israel?” she adds.

A Global Perspective on Environmental Studies

Hernandez Batista’s experience at TAU has exceeded her expectations, largely due to the program’s unique global perspective and collaborative culture. “One of my favorite things about the program is the amount of different perspectives I get from my classmates,” she says.

“It’s beautiful to sit at a table and hear about what works—or doesn’t—work in different countries, and to really understand the cultural and policy differences. I’ve gained so, so much just from these conversations.” 

She also appreciates the breadth of the curriculum, which integrates real-world policy issues with scientific exploration, and which offers not only Israeli case studies, but examples from around the world.

“The professors bring examples from every continent, which makes the learning experience incredibly eye-opening.”

For her Advertising Earth class, Hernandez Batista worked on a joint advertising campaign aimed at reducing food waste by encouraging consumers to “find joy” in good deeds. 

This supportive and inclusive academic environment has allowed Raziel to explore issues specific to Panama and its neighbors. “For one project, I focused on policy recommendations for waste management in Panama City,” she shares.

Another seminar project involved assessing affordable smart technology options for water treatment systems in Panama, to help address the country’s budget constraints while improving municipal infrastructure. These experiences have helped her bridge global insights with local solutions, preparing her for the next stage of her career.

Pivoting to Groundbreaking Research

After completing the coursework MA, Hernandez Batista is now continuing on to complete a master’s thesis; she credits her advisor, Dr. Ines Zucker, for encouraging her to explore water-focused research, and specifically the issue of how nanobubbles can contribute to wastewater treatment, focusing on improving groundwater purification.

Through an internship with The Natural Step Israel (arranged by TAU’s Porter International Program), Hernandez Batista was able to attend the Israel Climate Change Conference.

“My research is about developing the fundamental science of nanobubble transport, changing their properties to optimize their mobility in soil,” she explains. The work is highly technical but deeply fulfilling. “I love this work. It’s amazing.”

A Vision for Panama’s Environmental Future

Hernandez Batista is eager to bring the knowledge and ideas she has gained in Israel back to Panama. From her research on nanomaterials to her broader studies on sustainability, she has a clear vision for improving environmental practices in her home country.

“I’m fueled with ideas from Israel and want to bring them back to Panama.”

“For example, I explored how to make water systems affordable for municipalities while maintaining high-quality results. These solutions don’t have to cost millions—they can be implemented on smaller budgets.”

Hernandez Batista celebrates graduating from her MA in Environmental Studies (coursework option) with friend Anamika.

While Hernandez Batista’s future may take her across different countries—specifically between Panama, Israel and the United States—her mission is clear: to address Panama’s environmental challenges and inspire change through innovation and collaboration. “For now, the answer is Panama,” she says. “I have so many ideas I want to implement there.”